Centuries ago, when public figures had a dispute they would draw pistols at dawn.
In modern-day Steveston, however, they settle their differences on the soccer field.
A rivalry dating back to before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has raged between two businessmen Barber Shop owner and proud Englishman Iain Mackelworth and German-supporting Iranian Davood Khatami, who owns Bean & Beyond Café.
The pair traded insults and wagers in the lead up to the big England v Germany game that year.
It culminated with Germany winning in controversial circumstances (England had a goal chopped off that was well over the line) and Mackelworth having to don lederhosen and do a Bavarian dance of sorts, all while waving the German flag in the middle of the No. 1 Road and Moncton Street.
Since that day, the pair has continued to wind each other up, much to the amusement of their customers, amid Mackelworths cries of injustice despite England benefiting from a similar ball over the line debacle in the 1966 World Cup Final v Germany.
Weve been trash-talking each other for more than two years, now is the time to sort it out once and for all, vowed Khatami.
In a match being billed as the Battle of the Bs, Bean & Beyond will field a team of staff and customers called Beanfica (after famous Portuguese side Benfica) against a similar team from the Barber Shop, called Barberlona.
They will fight it out, hopefully not literally, during a charity six-a-side match at Sportstown on Saturday, April 6 at 6 p.m.
The players, each squad could be 20-strong, are paying $20 each to play and their shirts and arena cost is being sponsored by Safe and Sound Security.
Also, in a bid to hit a $3,000 target, there will be a post-match $10 burger and beer event in Sportstown. All proceeds from the event are going to the Richmond Society for Community Living.
Weve been at each others throats since that day England were robbed, so we thought we should clear the air with a game, joked Mackelworth.
But its gotten a bit bigger than thats when we decided to do it for charity.
The buzz around the village has been quite funny, but Im looking for revenge here.
Mackelworth said it may not be the World Cup, but theres expected to be quite a few egos out on that pitch and, with lots of spectators attending, there could be some good comedy.
And the Steveston barbers pre-match prediction: Barberlona 20, Beanfica 0.
